Prayer Update from Voice of the Martyrs 07/01/08

Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ suffering for the glory of Jesus Christ:

VOM News and Prayer Update: July 1st, 2008

“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.”

(1 Corinthians 16:23)

PAKISTAN

Christians Abducted at Gunpoint by Muslim Extremists – VOM Sources

On June 21, 16 Christians were abducted by Muslim extremists when they gathered to pray in Academy Town, Peshawar, Pakistan. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts in Pakistan, “Salamat Masih and 30 of his family and close friends were gathered to pray and celebrate the birth of his daughter, when 12 Taliban [members] of the Lashka-e-Islam group broke into his house yelling and shouting. They held the believers at gunpoint. The Muslim house-owner, Haji Muhammad Saraj, was also present at the time to collect rent.” VOM contacts added, “With machine and automatic guns, they forcibly separated the men from the women and children. Slapping the Christian men, they commanded all 16 men, including Pastor Zulifqar and Haji Muhammad Saraj, to get into the five waiting vehicles.” The 16 Christian men were held captive for an hour. “They were beaten and abused, and had all their money and mobile phones stolen from them. During this time, the Taliban attempted to persuade Pastor Zulifqar to convert to Islam, which he unquestionably refused. After sunset the Taliban took them to another place where they were kept in a cave until their release 10 hours later,” VOM contacts reported. Pray for believers in Pakistan. Pray God protects them and provides for all their needs. Also pray their courageous testimonies will draw nonbelievers into fellowship with Him. Psalm 91:1-2

EGYPT

Christian Homes and Businesses Attacked – VOM Sources

On June 19, a mob of local Muslims attacked businesses and homes belonging to Coptic Christians in the village of Al Nazla, Fayoum province. According to VOM contacts, “When a convert from Christianity to Islam left that day on a three-day trip to Cairo, local Muslims concluded that she had gone missing. Rumors circulated that she had been abducted by her Christian family members. A mob of Muslims then went on a rampage in the village, beating and injuring Christians and destroying property.” Ask God to strengthen those affected by the mob violence and for them to remain steadfast as they suffer. Pray that the perpetrators of this attack will come to repentance and salvation. Revelation 2:10

INDONESIA

Church Closed Again – VOM Sources

Recently, Muslims closed a church and blocked Christians from entering and holding services in Jatimula, Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts in Indonesia, “Muslims blocked the alley leading to the church building. Pastor Anna and Huta Julu had to lead worship outside their church building and believers had to sit in the dirty alley to pray outside their church.” VOM contacts added, “The sign outside the church building stated, ‘This church building is sealed,’ and it was written on a letterhead belonging to the Tambun Selatan district of Bekasi local government.” This is the second time Muslims have closed the church in Bekasi. The church was first closed on September 10, 2005, when a mob of 100 Muslims nailed boards over doors and windows and prohibited believers from entering the building. Praise God for the unwavering faith of believers in Indonesia. Ask God to watch over Pastor Anna and Huta Julu as they continue to lead other believers in Indonesia. Pray for protection for believers as they courageously live for Christ in the midst of hardships. John 15: 18-21

AZERBAIJAN

Pastor Arrested – Forum 18 News

On June 20, Pastor Hamid Shabanov was arrested after police claimed to find an illegal weapon while searching his home in Aliabad. According to Forum 18 News, “Pastor Shabanov’s family and congregation insist that police planted the gun they claimed to discover. Shabanov’s brother sees the arrest as a direct attack on the pastor’s Baptist church and an attempt to halt Christian activity in the area. Shabanov’s home was among those searched when another local pastor arrested on fabricated charges, Pastor Zaur Balaev, was detained in May 2007.” Pray that the truth of this situation will be made known and that Pastor Shabanov will be released. Pray that Christians in Azerbaijan will be emboldened to follow in their Savior’s footsteps. 1 Corinthians 4:9-16

Let us be grateful, and thank the Lord for the freedom we have in a free land.  Let us also pray for revival and spiritual awakening in our churches and land.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Prohibited Pastor and Church

Here is another article of Christians who are persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ.  It is a matter of courage that these brothers and sisters in Christ to continue in their faith and to be a witness of Jesus. 

Again, this artcle is taken from the VOM News and Prayer Update for November 14, 2006:

Dalit Christians Forced to Bow to Hindu Idols – Compass Direct

Lambini Tribal villagers in Karnataka state prohibited Pastor Revanna Naik and his congregation from worshiping on Sunday, October 29, instead forcing them to bow down and worship Hindu deities.  Three of the 11 Christian families at the church in the remote village of Chitradurga district refused to bow before the idols or partake of the prasad offering that would indicate allegiance to the Hindu deities.  The local council chief ordered the village to oxtracize those families.  This stigma of being ostracized will crush the very spirit of the Lambani, who ae very clan-oriented people.  On November 6, Hindu extremists forced Christians in a remote village in southern Karnataka to bow down before Hindu deities.  The Christians were marched to the village temple, forced to bow down before the Hindu gods and had the vermilion mark applied to their foreheads.  A police inspector only watched this violation of the Christians’ rights.  Pray the families who are shunned by the villagers will draw close to Jesus and know His loving presence as never before.  Pray the police officer and Hindu extremists will repent and come to know Jesus’ forgiveness.  Matthew 24:32.

We thank the Lord for those three families who refused to bow to deities which are no deities at all; to bow to them is to bow to demons; “…The things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.” 1 Corinthians 10:20 (NKJV).